LessonUp about First Love (Poem by A. Gibson)

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Poetry, poems, what do we know?

The first time in my life I’d ever rested, 

the first time I didn’t have to play a role

I’d never really wanted to get.

That’s the medicine it is 

to be finally seen by someone.

I’d crack a smile and you’d point to my chest 

and say, What just broke?

I’d throw my body in the river

but you’d say my name right

and I’d become a stone that skipped.

Do you remember the first record 

where we didn’t have to change 

the pronouns to sing along? We’d gone

so many years without music

that knew us. Music that knew you

could arch your back and I’d have proof 

that the earth was round.

Bless who we were then.

Bless who we still are. 

My straight friends tease me

because all my best friends 

are my ex loves, 

but a wise heart told me 

it’s the most tender partof queerness

—how we’ve all lost 

so much family when we find people we call family, 

we’ll do almost anything

to not let go.

Do you think this poem was written by a man or a woman?

1. man
2. woman

Do you think the writer was a young or an older person?

1. young
2. older

What do you think the poem is about?

1. Making new friends
2. Finding new love
3. Becoming a stronger person
4. Finally feeling like yourself

If you wanted to make music with this text, how would you do that?

1. Spoken Word Poetry
2. Make it into rap/hiphop music
3. Just add instruments, but say the text
4. Make it into a ballad

Now, take a look at the following video

Share what comes to mind about Andrea after seeing this video

What do you think the poem is about, knowing what you know now?

What is descibed?

What does love have to do with it?

And family?

How does Andrea feel in the poem?

How do you feel about it?

THINK ABOUT THIS AND FILL IN ON THE NEXT SLIDE!

Where do you find poetry around you?

And love?

And what experiences do you have that made you feel the way Andrea felt?

Find a picture that best describes the feeling and events related to love!

Now, write a new poem, starting with: ¨Love is like....¨, add the picture you chose (For example: ¨This love is like a heart¨ if you chose a picture of a heart) and describe why love is like that. Find simililarities between the two and include those in your short poem. Write your (6-10 lines long) poem here: